Curtiss T-32 Condor II
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| T-32 Condor II | |
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YC-30 |
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| Type | Biplane transport and bomber |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company |
| Maiden flight | 1933 |
The Curtiss T-32 Condor II was a 1930s American biplane airliner and bomber aircraft built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. It was used by the United States Army Air Corps as an executive transport.
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[edit] Development
The Condor II was a 1933 two-bay biplane of mixed construction with a single fin and rudder and retractable landing gear. It was powered by two Wright Cyclone radial engines. The first aircraft was flown on 30 January 1933 and a production batch of 21 aircraft were then built. The production aircraft were fitted out as 12-passenger luxury night sleeper transports. They entered service with Eastern Air Transport and American Airways, forerunners of Eastern Air Lines and American Airlines on regular night services for the next 3 years.
Two modified T-32s were bought by the United States Army Air Corps (designated YC-30) for use as executive transports. One Condor was converted with extra fuel tanks and used by the 1938 Byrd Antarctic Expedition, and unique for a Condor had a fixed undercarriage to allow use on floats or skis. Some aircraft were later modified to AT-32 standard with variable-pitch propellers and improved engine nacelles. The AT-32D variant could be converted from sleeper configuration to daytime use with 15 seats. Four T-32s operating in the United Kingdom were impressed into service with the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of the Second World War.
Eight bomber variants (BT-32) were built with manually-operated machine gun turrets in the nose and above the rear fuselage. All these aircraft were exported. A military cargo version (CT-32) was also built for Argentina. It had a large loading door on the starboard side of the fuselage.
[edit] Variants
- T-32
- Production luxury night sleeper, 21 built including two as YC-30s
- T-32C
- Ten T-32s modified to AT-32 standard.
- AT-32A
- Variant with variable-pitch propellers and 710hp (529kW) Wright SCR-1820-F3 Cyclone engines, three built.
- AT-32B
- An AT-32 variant with 720hp (537kW) Wright SCR-1820-F2 Cyclone engines, three built.
- AT-32C
- An AT-32 variant, one built.
- AT-32D
- An AT-32 variant with 720hp (537kW) Wright SCR-1820-F3 Cyclone engines, one built.
- AT-32E
- AT-32 variant for the United States Navy as the R4C-1, two built.
- BT-32
- Bomber variant, eight built.
- CT-32
- Military cargo variant with large cargo door, three built.
- YC-30
- United States Army Air Corps designation for two T-32s.
- R4C-1
- United States Navy designation for two AT-32Es (one for United States Marine Corps) both later to the United States Antarctic Survey.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Civil operators
- Eastern Air Transport (T-32)
- International Air Freighters (T-32)
[edit] Military operators
Argentina (CT-32)- China (BT-32)
Colombia (BT-32)
Peru (BT-32)
United Kingdom
- Royal Air Force (T-32)
- United States Army Air Corps (YC-30)
- United States Marine Corps (R4C-1)
- United States Navy (R4C-1)
[edit] Specifications (BT-32)
General characteristics
- Length: 49 ft 6 in (15.09 m)
- Wingspan: 82 ft 0 in (24.99 m)
- Height: 16 ft 4 in (4.98 m)
- Wing area: 1276 ft² (118.54 m²)
- Empty weight: 11,233 lb (5095 kg)
- Gross weight: 17,500 lb (7938 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Wright SCR-1820-F3 Cyclone radial piston engine, 710 hp (529 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 176 mph (283 km/h)
- Range: 840 miles (1352 km)
- Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6705 m)
Armament
- five flexible 0.3in (7.62mm) M1919 Browning machine guns
- 1,680lb (762 kg) Bombs
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
- Andrade, John M. U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9. (Page 63 and 214)
- Bowers, Peter M. Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947. London: Putnam & CompanyLtd., 1979. ISBN 0-370-10029-8.
- Taylor, H.A. "The Uncompetitive Condor" AirEnthusiast Six, March-June 1978. Bromley, Kent, UK: Pilot Press Ltd., 1978.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing, 1985.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Related lists
- List of military aircraft of the United States
- List of military aircraft of the United States (naval)
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